Sheet material handling frame

ABSTRACT

A sheet material handling frame comprises a plurality of base portions (18) for supporting material, such as sheet glass. A stanchion (16) extends from each base portion (18). The stanchions (16) are held in a spaced relationship by means of cross-bars (12, 14). Each stanchion (16) is formed with a slot in which a strap guide (24) is slideably movable. A securing strap passes inside the stanchion (16) through the hollow base (18) around the sheet material and over the strap guide (24). Thus, the strap guide is movable to accommodate different heights of material loaded on the frame. The frames are securable back-to-back to form a structure which is capable of carrying sheets of different sizes. When the sheet material is being loaded, the strap guide (24) is pivoted about a pair of retaining lugs into the slot so that it is out of the way. The strap guide (24) is provided with a hook-like recess (27) which is used to engage a retaining pin inside the slot when it is not in use.

This invention relates to sheet material handling frames. The inventionis particularly applicable to a frame for handling quantities ofmaterials such as glass in sheet form both for storage and fortransport.

In the glass industry large area sheets of glass are manufactured called"jumbo" sheets. These jumbo sheets are supplied by the manufacturer to adistributor for cutting into apparatus smaller standard sizes. The jumbosheets are usually cut according to demand for different sizes. Clearly,when a jumbo sheet is cut consideration has to be given to the optimumway in which it can be done to minimise the amount of wasted material.Thus, a specific order for glass may not be satisfied from a singlejumbo sheet in which case it is necessary to store sheets of glass notonly prior to distribution but also while an order is awaitingcompletion.

Consequently, a warehousing facility for prepared glass requires thatthe glass can be stored and transported about a site with as much easeas possible. Furthermore, it is necessary that the glass can be loadedfor distribution as conveniently as possible.

A frame for transporting and storing sheet glass is known in which agenerally L-section frame provides a foot for a base on which one edgeof a stack of sheets of glass rests and a supporting upright stanchionagainst which the stack is leant. The stack is held in place against theupright stanchion of the L-section frame by a vertical bar which has apeg formed on its lower end which engages with one of a series of slotsin the foot according to the thickness of the stack. The upper end ofthe vertical bar is secured to an upper horizontal bar, extending fromthe stanchion, by means of a bolt which protrudes through one of aseries of through holes in the upper bar, again according to thethickness of the stack. The glass is held together by means of ahorizontal strap which passes around the stack. A lifting bar isattached to the top of the upright by which the glass can be lifted.

A T-section frame has also been proposed. However, only one size ofsheet of glass can be stacked against the sides of a central supportingupright. The sheets are strapped to base boards, provided on the lowerarms of the T-section frame. Wooden blocks are placed on the top of thestack in the way of the straps to clamp the glass in place. The strapsare thus used to bind the stack together and secure it to the frame.Outermost central uprights are provided with lifting points to which ahoist can be attached in order to transport the loaded frame.

Furthermore the T-frame assemblies are made up from several componentscomprising steel members, timber platforms and cardboard strips. Thetimber items themselves have to be assembled from planks which have tobe cut to size and trimmed prior to being assembled. Thus, the time andlabour required to build enough T-frames can be considerable. While thesteel members are often collected from customers the timber is oftendamaged and, in any event, rarely returned.

Another significant disadvantage of these known T-section frames is thatthe frames must be secured in place when being transported by, forexample, road. The more or less custom-built T-section frame does nothave a standard base which could be secured to any standard securingmeans on the vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a versatile framefor supporting sheet material which can be easily loaded and which isboth secure and stable.

According to the present invention a sheet material handling framecomprising a base for supporting the material, at least one stanchionextending up from the base, first securing means for retaining thebottom of the material against at least one stanchion, and lifting meansattached toward the top of the stanchion by which the apparatus may betransported, is characterised in that the second securing means arelongitudinally movably retained by the stanchion to accommodatedifferent heights of sheet.

Preferably, the apparatus is provided with a lifting bar which isreleasably secured to the stanchion. In this case the bar extends overthe base and is provided with spaced points, corresponding generally tothe lateral edges of the base, by which the frame may be lifted.Preferably the bar is maintained in place on the frame by means of alocating pin.

Preferably, the first and second securing means are constituted by astrap which, in use, passes around the material, through a longitudinalslot in the stanchion and beneath the base, a strap guide, providing achannel for the strap extending out of the slot, being slideableretained within the slot and extending therefrom to rest on the top edgeof the material, to hold the material in position on the frame. It ispreferable if this strap guide is pivotable within the slot so that itmay be moved between its position in use above the material and anotherposition in which the strap guide is substantially wholly receivedwithin the slot. It is desirable that this strap guide is provided witha hook formation, possibly in the form of a hook-like recess, which isarranged to be engageable with a formation inside the slot to hold thestrap guide in the other position. In this case, and when the liftingbar is held in position by a pin, it is convenient for the pin to beused as the formation within the slot to which the strap guide can behooked.

In order to store more than one size of glass it is preferable if twosuch frames are attachable back-to-back. To this end, it is preferableif the lifting bar is adapted to be securable to both frames in such aback to back relationship. It is also preferable if the adjacent lowerends of the two frames in the said relationship are formed withcomplementary locating lugs. In this way, the frames are connectable forstorage and/or transport.

The invention can be put into practice in several ways, one of whichwill now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a frame according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of two of the frames in FIG. 1 connected backto back;

FIGS. 3a) and b) are details of a strap guide used in the frame of FIG.1;

FIGS. 4a) and b) are scrap-sections of the frame in FIG. 1 illustratingan alternative lifting bar; and

FIGS. 5a) and b) are scrap-sections of the frames of FIG. 2,illustrating the connection of the frames at the bases thereof.

Referring to the drawings a frame comprises three generally L-shapedmetal supports 10 which are held in a spaced side-by-side relationshipby upper and lower crossbars 12 and 14, respectively. A stanchion in theform of an upright portion 16 of each support 10 extends from a hollowbox-section foot 18 at an angle of about 93°. The upper surface of thefoot 18 provides a base for the sheets of glass. A stiffening web 20 iswelded between the upright and a backwardly extending portion of thefoot 18 on either side of each support 10. A locating lug 19 is attachedto the end of the backwardly extending portion of each foot 18. The lugs19 are either male or complementarily female in nature such that theywill engage when two frames are connected back-to-back as will bedescribed in more detail below.

The section of each upright 16 is generally a flat sided C-shape toprovide a partially enclosed channel 22 which has an opening facing awayfrom the cross-bars 12 and 14. The passage defined by the foot 18communicates with the interior of the channel 22.

A U-section nylon or metal strap guide 24 is received in each channel22. The strap guide is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3a) and b). Itswidth is generally the same as that of the opening in the channel 22. Apair of retaining lugs 26 are formed from a laterally extending pinsecured in a recess in the base of the guide 24. When the guide isinserted in one of the channels 22, the lugs 26 engage behind a pair offlanges 28 which define the opening slot in the channel 22. Thus, thestrap guide 24 is free to move up and down in the channel 22 but isprevented from being pulled out by the lugs 26. In each arm of theU-section of the guide 24 a hook-like recess 27 is formed. This is usedto hand the guide, when it is not in use, in the channel 22 as will bediscussed in more detail below. Alternatively, the section of the strapguide can be dimensioned so that it can be twisted in the channel 22 tobring the lugs into a vertical orientation. In this twisted orientationthe guide can be completely removed when it is not in use.

The rear of each guide 24, i.e. that part received in the channel 22, isformed as a pair of side plates 29 with no connecting base portion. Therear edges of the plates 29 are chamfered. The guide 24 can thus berotated about the lugs 26 engaging the inside of the flanges 28 so thatis can be brought flush, or substantially so, with the open face of theupright 16 without it catching on the back wall of the channel 22. Anelastomeric cushion backing 30 is attached to the base of the U-sectionstrap guide 24.

A horizontal retaining sleeve 32 is formed from a plate welded to theinnermost side of each of these outermost uprights 16. A removablelifting bar 34 (shown in FIGS. 4a) and b)) is received in the sleeve 32.The top of each outermost upright 16 is formed with holes in oppositesides of the C-section. A locating pin 36 inserted through the holes inthe upright 16 also passes through a suitable locating hole 38 in thebar 34 to hold it in position. The pin is biased to the insertedposition by a spring. The hole remote from the lifting bar 34 throughwhich the pin 36 extends is formed with an axially extending slot. Byrotating the pin so that is handle portion is aligned with the slot, thepin is insertable into the lifting bar 34. When the handle portion isout of registry with the slot, the pin is held in a disengaged positionagainst the action of the biasing spring. The bar also has a pair ofspaced holes 40 formed in it by which the frame can be lifted.

It will be noted that the bar in FIG. 2 indicated by the numeral 42 isslightly different to that in FIGS. 4a) and b). The bar 34 in FIGS. 4a)and b) is for lifting a single frame. The bar 42 is used for lifting andsecuring together a pair of frames, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Aspreviously mentioned, the connection of two frames will be described inmore detail below.

The top of the feet 18 and the prominent edges of the upright 16 eachhave a strip of cushion backing material 48 and 50, respectivelyattached to them to protect the glass when it is being loaded andtransported.

The front edge of the strap guide 24 is formed with a small curved lipportion 52 which prevents a strap 56 passing over the guide 24 fromchafing on an otherwise sharp edge. Similarly, the upper inside surfaceof each of the box-section feet 18 is provided with a lip 54 at each endwhere the strap passes.

Sheet glass 58 is commonly supplied in batches of 28 or 56 sheets. Theglass of one size is loaded onto the foot 18 and leant against theuprights 16. In loading the glass, it is preferably to have the strapguide 24 flush with the flanges 28 so that there is no danger of themcatching the glass as it is positioned on the frame. Thus, the strapguides 24 are hooked onto the pins 36 substantially flush with the slot.Once the required number of sheets are in position, the strap guide 24is unhooked from the pin 36 and rotated about it lugs 26 to extend overthe glass. The guides are then moved along the respective channels 22until they rest on top of the glass 58. The strap 56 which runs out ofthe foot at one end and along the channel and out through the cleft ofthe strap guide 24 at the other, is tied or otherwise secured togetherto hold the glass in place. The glass 58 is protected by the backingstrips on the adjacent faces of the uprights feet and strap guides. Inthe vent that the thickness of the stack of glass is considerably lessthan the length of the strap guide 24 the binding action of the strapguide may be compromised. To overcome this, the strap guide 24 can beformed with an aperture 60, as shown in FIGS. 3a) and 3b). In this case,when a thin stack of glass is to be bound to the frame the strap 56 ispassed through this aperture instead of over the end. Alternatively, awooden batten, having a length approximately the same as the uprightdimension of the glass on the frame, can be positioned between eachstrap 56 and the outermost glass sheet as a spacer. With the frameloaded, the lifting bars 34 are inserted in the sleeves 32 and securedin position by the pins.

When two frames are to be used back-to-back the lifting bar 42 shown inFIG. 2 must be used. In the bar 42 there are formed two locating holesinto each of which a pin 36 from each frame extends to secure the topsof the frames together. A lifting hole 44 is also formed in the bar 42on either side of locating holes. Each lifting hole 44 is generallyabove the lateral end of the foot remote from its junction with theupright 16.

At the base of each frame the locating lugs 19 on the rear extension ofone foot 18 is received in the complementary locating lug 19' in anopposite foot of the other frame. Thus, by means of the pins and thelocating lugs and recesses, the two frames are held together securelyand can be lifted on the lifting bar 42. The glass sheets on one side ofthe frame can be of a different size to those on the other without thedifference effecting the security of the mounting of the sheets.

Partly due to the spaced lifting holes 44 being positioned out over eachload of glass, any discrepancy in weight between the two loads of glasson either side will leave the lifting characteristics of the connectedframes substantially unaffected. Thus, the amount by which a connectedpair of frames will tend to tip to the weightier side will be minimised.

When connected pairs of frames are to be transported it is clearlynecessary to be able to secure to the transporting vehicle and theeasier the method of securement the better it will be for the supplierof the glass and customer alike. As the frame has a standard footspacing it is possible to construct a series of parallel tracks on thebed of a transporting vehicle. The feet can be slid along the tracks.Once in position, the feet are secured in place by means of pins passingthrough holes in the track and holes 62 in the feet 18 (see FIG. 5a)).The pins can be actuated simultaneously by linking them all to anactuating arm by means of a suitable crank and con-rod arrangement.Alternatively, or for additional safety, the connected frame can be tiedto the bed. Conveniently, this can be achieved by using a horse-shoeshaped saddle. The ends of the saddle are wedged in the open upper endsof one or more of the opposing pairs of the uprights 16. The saddle isformed with a pair of horizontal pegs around which a web or strappasses. The strap is secured to the bend on either side of the connectedframes. Thus, the saddle serves also to maintain the spacing of theupper portions of the frames and the lifting bar 42 can be removed.

Similarly, a single frame can also be secured for transport using asingle wedge shaped anchoring plate inserted in the open end of theupright 16.

We claim:
 1. A sheet material handling frame comprising a base forsupporting the sheets, at least one stanchion extending up from thebase, first securing means for holding the bottom edge of the sheetsagainst at least one stanchion, second securing means for holding thetop edge of the sheets against said stanchion ,and lifting meansattached toward the top of the stanchion by which the apparatus may betransported, wherein the second securing means are longitudinallymovably retained by the stanchion to accommodate different heights ofsheet, and wherein the first and second securing means are comprised ofa strap which, in use, passes beneath the base, around the material,through a longitudinal slot in the stanchion, and over a strap guidewhich is slidably retained within the slot and which extends therefromto rest on the top edge of the sheets when loaded on the frame.
 2. Aframe as claimed in claim 1, in which the strap guide defines a channelwhich extends outwardly substantially perpendicularly with respect tothe stanchion along which the strap passes, in use.
 3. A frame asclaimed in claim 2, in which the strap guide is pivotable between theposition in which it is substantially perpendicular to the stanchion andanother position in which the strap guide is received within the slot.4. A frame as claimed in claim 3, in which the strap guide is providedwith a hook formation which is arranged to be engageable with aformation in the slot to hold the strap guide in the slot.
 5. A frame asclaimed in claim 4, in which the hook formation is defined by a recessin the strap guide which is hookable onto a projection in the slot.
 6. Aframe as claimed in claim 5 in which the lifting means are constitutedby a lifting bar which is releasably secured to the stanchion, the barextending over the base and having spaced lifting points positioned overthe base by which the frame is liftable.
 7. A frame as claimed in claim2, in which the lifting means are constituted by a lifting bar which isreleasably secured to the stanchion, the bar extending over the base andhaving spaced lifting points positioned over the base by which the frameis liftable.
 8. A frame as claimed in claim 3, in which the liftingmeans are constituted by a lifting bar which is releasably secured tothe stanchion, the bar extending over the base and having spaced liftingpoints positioned over the base by which the frame is liftable.
 9. Aframe as claimed in claim 4, in which the lifting means are constitutedby a lifting bar which is releasably secured to the stanchion, the barextending over the base and having spaced lifting points positioned overthe base by which the frame is liftable.
 10. A frame as claimed in claim1, in which an extension of the base portion past the stanchion isformed with a locating lug and in which attachment means are provided onthe top of the frame, the attachment means being arranged to connect theframe with a similar frame in a back-to-back relationship, such that thelocating lug engages with a complementary formation on the said similarframe when connected.
 11. A frame as claimed in claim 1, in which aplurality of bases and corresponding stanchions are secured in spacedside-by-side relationship by at least one cross-bar extending betweenthem.
 12. A frame as claimed in claim 1, in which the lifting means areconstituted by a lifting bar which is releasably secured to thestanchion, the bar extending over the base and having spaced liftingpoints positioned over the base by which the frame is liftable.
 13. Aframe as claimed in claim 1, in which the lifting means are constitutedby a lifting bar which is releasably secured to the stanchion, the barextending over the base and having spaced lifting points positioned overthe base by which the frame is liftable.
 14. A frame as claimed in claim12, in which the strap guide is provided with a hook formation which isarranged to be engageable with a formation in the slot to hold the strapguide in the slot, the hook formation being arranged to engage with apin holding the lifting bar in position.